Cool Fire: 'A Fuego Vivo' (2003)/ 'Good Vibes'

"This set brings together 2 outstanding albums from late in Cal Tjader's career. The first, "A Fuego Vivo", comes from a 1981 concert at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. One thing apparent right away is that Tjader is generous in featuring his sidemen, in addition to adding a few hot solos of his own. "Poncho Con Dos Amigos" is an exciting extended feature for conga great Poncho Sanchez, whose own career as a leader took off not long after Tjader's passing. The leader's exotic "Mindinao," and multi-reed player Gary Foster's lovely ballad "Tesoro," are also memorable. The second album, "Good Vibes", that was released two years after Tjader's death, kicks off with a crowd-pleasing take of Dizzy Gillespie's "Guachi Guaro (Soul Sauce)," showcasing bassist Rob Fisher, drummer Vince Lateano, and Foster (on soprano sax). Pianist Mark Levine, who is present on both dates, composed the smoking salsa "Shoshana," a piece that would get any crowd on its feet and dancing." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)

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